Practice Prevention Perchlorate

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Practice Prevention Perchlorate Practice Prevention Perchlorate “The thyroid from the Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative gland February 2007 produces several hormones What is perchlorate? essential for regulating our Perchlorate is a chemical that occurs in nature but is also body’s manufactured for industrial products and processes. It is metabolism. used mostly in explosives and rocket propellants for These munitions (mortars, grenades, flares and solid rocket fuel). hormones are Perchlorate is also used in smaller quantities in fireworks, absolutely blasting agents, matches, lubricating oils, nuclear reactors, critical to the 1 development air bags and certain types of fertilizers, as well as in of the fetal tanning and leather finishing, rubber manufacture and paint 2 brain and nervous system. Fetal brain and enamel production. development begins within the first several weeks of gestation. The fetus’ thyroid gland does Perchlorate residues are being found with increasing not begin to work until the third trimester of frequency in water, soils and even foods. Perchlorate is pregnancy. Thus, it is essential that the mother known as a persistent toxicant and can remain in water and produce adequate amounts of these hormones soils for long periods. so that the fetus will have the levels it needs. Even a small disruption in a mother’s hormone level at critical stages in brain development can How does perchlorate interfere with the have long-term, and sometimes devastating, development of a child’s brain and nervous impacts on a child’s health. system? Perchlorate is a chemical that occurs in nature but is also man-made. It is used in explosives The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate and rocket propellants as well as in air bags, metabolism in adults. These hormones also help control the certain types of fertilizers, and other products. growth and development of a child’s body, including the Perchlorate residues are also found with brain and nervous system. If a pregnant woman’s thyroid increasing frequency in water, soils, and food. gland isn’t producing enough thyroid hormone, her child Perchlorate can impact thyroid hormone may show changes in behavior, delayed development and production. It prevents iodide uptake into the difficulty in learning.1,3 Pregnant women with low thyroid thyroid gland, resulting in a reduced production function also have a much higher risk of medical problems of thyroid hormones. This article explains ways during pregnancy and premature birth, further putting their to reduce the risks of perchlorate exposure. The children’s health and development at risk.4 Please see our best prevention, however, is to be sure that a related columns on “The Thyroid Gland” and “Iodine and woman who is pregnant or who might become Thyroid Function” for more information. pregnant not be in a low-thyroid, or hypothyroid, condition. For this reason, I recommend that any One study tested the children of women who had low levels woman have a thyroid function test done before of thyroid hormone and did not receive thyroid treatment a planned pregnancy or as soon as a she during pregnancy. When the children were seven to eight realizes she is pregnant. Preventing a hypothyroid condition will minimize or prevent years old, they were given 15 tests of intelligence, any impacts on fetal brain development. Please attention, language, reading ability, school performance, read this article for more information.“ and visual-motor performance. These children scored slightly lower on all tests, and their IQ scores were seven - Larry B. Silver, MD points lower on average compared to children of women Page 2 Perchlorate with normal hormone levels.3 deficiency is of special concern.6,7 A study published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Perchlorate prevents iodide uptake into the thyroid 5 in 2006 found that even very low levels of gland, interfering with its production of hormones. perchlorate in a woman’s body are related to low About 2.5% of women have a low thyroid hormone thyroid hormone production.8 condition in which the thyroid gland produces less hormone than normal. When severe, this condition Young children, whose thyroid glands are still is known as hypothyroidism. Because there may be developing, may also be at greater risk from no symptoms with mild hypothyroidism (called perchlorate exposures. Because the brain subclinical hypothyroidism), most women with this continues to grow and develop through condition are not aware of it and do not receive any adolescence, a child’s healthy thyroid function is treatment. There are also some women who do not important. Only minimal research on the effects of receive the recommended daily amounts of iodine perchlorate exposure on young children has been in their diets. Without enough iodine, the thyroid conducted, but because of its effects in animal gland cannot make an adequate supply of thyroid studies, perchlorate is a concern and warrants hormone. The effects of exposure to perchlorate in further study.9 these women with hypothyroidism or iodide How are children exposed to perchlorate? Most exposures to perchlorate come from drinking water at concentrations of 4 parts per billion or contaminated water. Water can be contaminated higher.6 during perchlorate manufacture or through improper storage or disposal of materials containing Food can also contain perchlorate if it was grown in perchlorate.1 Environmental releases of perchlorate contaminated soil or irrigated or processed with have been discovered in at least 35 states contaminated water. Various levels of perchlorate have been found in lettuce, milk, and bottled water, throughout the United States, and more than 11 5 million people have perchlorate in their drinking and more foods are being tested for perchlorate. What can you do to reduce your child's risk? Ask your doctor for a thyroid test. Pregnant per kilogram of body weight should not threaten the women, or those who are likely to become health of even the most sensitive populations. This pregnant, are highly encouraged to be screened for translates to 24.5 parts per billion in drinking water thyroid functioning. Since a thyroid test is not for adults. However, this level does not consider automatically ordered by most doctors, women additional daily perchlorate exposures from other need to ask for testing and for treatment if needed. sources such as food,10 nor does it consider that Once detected, hypothyroidism can easily be babies consume six times the amount of fluid as corrected with low-cost, daily medication. adults for their weight, so the level in water may need to be lowered substantially for pregnant Ask government authorities to install a treatment women, babies and young children. In 2006 system for your community or purchase a home Massachusetts adopted a standard of two parts per treatment system. Water treatment systems, either billion in drinking water,11 based on the 2006 CDC for whole cities or for home use, can remove report.8 perchlorate from water supplies. Based on a report by the National Academy of Sciences,6 the Avoid food grown in contaminated areas. Environmental Protection Agency has concluded Unfortunately, there is no easy way to tell if food is that exposure of 0.0007 milligrams of perchlorate contaminated with perchlorate. Even organically Practice Prevention Page 3 grown produce may have perchlorate levels above irrigated by perchlorate-contaminated water, such those recommended by the EPA. Parents can avoid as central California or areas that use Colorado 12 purchasing food from areas that are known to be River water. Footnoted resources 1. US Environmental Protection Agency. Federal http://books.nap.edu/execsumm_pdf/11202.pdf, viewed Facilities Restoration and Reuse: Perchlorate. February 2, 2007. www.epa.gov/fedfac/documents/perchlorate.htm, viewed 7. Madsen T, Kucher Y, Olle T. Growing Up Toxic: April 21, 2005. Chemical Exposures and Increases in Developmental 2. US Food and Drug Administration. Exploratory Data Disease. June 2004. www.environmentcalifornia.org/ on Perchlorate in Food. reports/GrowingUpToxic2004.pdf, viewed June 3, 2005. www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/clo4data.html, viewed April 21, 8. Blount BC, Pirkle JL, Osterloh JD, Valentin-Blasini L, 2005. Caldwell KL. Urinary perchlorate and thyroid hormone 3. Haddow JE, Palomaki GE, Allan WC, Williams JR, levels in adolescent and adult men and women living in Knight GJ, Gagnon J, O'Heir CE, Mitchell ML, Hermos the United States. Environmental Health Perspectives. RJ, Waisbren SE, Faix JD, Klein RZ. Maternal thyroid 2006 Dec;114(12):1865-71. deficiency during pregnancy and subsequent 9. The American Thyroid Association. ATA Public Health neuropsychological development of the child. New Committee Statement: The Question of Perchlorate England Journal of Medicine. 1999 Aug 19;341(8):549- Exposure and Potential Effects on the Thyroid. 55. www.thyroid.org/professionals/publications/statements/0 4. Casey BM, Dashe JS, Wells CE, McIntire DD, Byrd W, 4_02_03_perchlorate.html, viewed May 9, 2005. Leveno KJ, Cunningham FG. Subclinical hypothyroidism 10. Walker B. Rocket Fuel in Drinking Water. and pregnancy outcomes. Obstetrics and Gynecology. www.faultline.org/news/2003/03/perc.htm, viewed June 2005 Feb;105(2):239-45. 3, 2005. 5. US Food and Drug Administration Center for Food 11. Standard needs to be realistic. Ontario Daily Bulletin. Safety and Applied Nutrition. Perchlorate Questions and January 22, 2007. www.dailybulletin.com/search/ Answers. www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/clo4qa.html, viewed ci_5058486, viewed February 1, 2007. April 21, 2005. 12. Perchlorate contamination of U.S. lettuce crop. 6. Committee to Assess the Health Implications of www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-pollution-perchlorate- Perchlorate Ingestion, National Research Council. Health lettuce.htm, viewed June 3, 2005. Implications of Perchlorate Ingestion (Free Executive Summary). National Academies Press. This and other Practice Prevention columns are written and For more published by LDDI staff at the Collaborative on Health and the information or for Environment, with an introduction provided by LDDI Medical other Practice Advisor Dr.
Recommended publications
  • Physician Perchlorate Fact Sheet
    Physician Fact Sheet PERCHLORATE Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology Division HIGHLIGHTS: Perchlorate competitively inhibits the uptake of iodide by the thyroid gland potentially affecting thyroid function. Pregnant women and their developing fetus may be more susceptible to the effects of perchlorate because of the stress that pregnancy places on the thyroid gland. Disruption of thyroid function could put pregnant women at greater risk for pregnancy-related complications such as preeclampsia, placental abruption, and low birth weight infants. An adequate iodine intake may negate the potential effects. Exposure levels that affect thyroid function have not been well demonstrated in humans. Currently, a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for perchlorate does not exist. For more information, call the Texas Department of Health Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology Division at (800)588-1248. What is Perchlorate? How does perchlorate get into the body? -1 Perchlorate (ClO4 ) is the most oxygenated member of Drinking water contaminated with perchlorate is the a series of compounds made up of chlorine and most likely way that perchlorate can get into the body. oxygen. It can form an acid or a salt in combination Perchlorate is not well absorbed through the skin. with a hydrogen ion (H+) or another cation such as sodium, potassium, or ammonium ion. Perchlorate What health effects are associated with salts, which have been widely used as an oxidizer in perchlorate? solid propellants for rockets and missiles since the mid- 1940s, have a finite shelf-life and must periodically be Perchlorate competitively inhibits the uptake of iodide replaced. As a result, large volumes of perchlorate by the thyroid gland through its effect on a transport have been disposed of since the 1950s.
    [Show full text]
  • Fate of Sodium Pertechnetate-Technetium-99M
    JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE 8:50-59, 1967 Fate of Sodium Pertechnetate-Technetium-99m Dr. Muhammad Abdel Razzak, M.D.,1 Dr. Mahmoud Naguib, Ph.D.,2 and Dr. Mohamed El-Garhy, Ph.D.3 Cairo, Egypt Technetium-99m is a low-energy, short half-life iostope that has been recently introduced into clinical use. It is available as the daughter of °9Mowhich is re covered as a fission product or produced by neutron bombardement of molyb denum-98. The aim of the present work is to study the fate of sodium pertechnetate 9OmTc and to find out any difference in its distribution that might be caused by variation in the method of preparation of the parent nuclide, molybdenum-99. MATERIALS & METHODS The distribution of radioactive sodium pertechnetate milked from 99Mo that was obtained as a fission product (supplied by Isocommerz, D.D.R.) was studied in 36 white mice, weighing between 150 and 250 gm each. Normal isotonic saline was used for elution of the pertechnetate from the radionuclide generator. The experimental animals were divided into four equal groups depending on the route of administration of the radioactive material, whether intraperitoneal, in tramuscular, subcutaneous or oral. Every group was further subdivided into three equal subgroups, in order to study the effect of time on the distribution of the pertechnetate. Thus, the duration between administration of the radio-pharma ceutical and sacrificing the animals was fixed at 30, 60 and 120 minutes for the three subgroups respectively. Then the animals were dissected and the different organs taken out.Radioactivityin an accuratelyweighed specimen from each organ was estimated in a scintillation well detector equipped with one-inch sodium iodide thallium activated crystal.
    [Show full text]
  • Package Insert TECHNETIUM Tc99m GENERATOR for the Production of Sodium Pertechnetate Tc99m Injection Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuti
    NDA 17693/S-025 Page 3 Package Insert TECHNETIUM Tc99m GENERATOR For the Production of Sodium Pertechnetate Tc99m Injection Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical For intravenous use only Rx ONLY DESCRIPTION The technetium Tc99m generator is prepared with fission-produced molybdenum Mo99 adsorbed on alumina in a lead-shielded column and provides a means for obtaining sterile pyrogen-free solutions of sodium pertechnetate Tc99m injection in sodium chloride. The eluate should be crystal clear. With a pH of 4.5-7.5, hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide may have been used for Mo99 solution pH adjustment. Over the life of the generator, each elution will provide a yield of > 80% of the theoretical amount of technetium Tc99m available from the molybdenum Mo99 on the generator column. Each eluate of the generator should not contain more than 0.0056 MBq (0.15 µCi) of molybdenum Mo99 per 37 MBq, (1 mCi) of technetium Tc99m per administered dose at the time of administration, and not more than 10 µg of aluminum per mL of the generator eluate, both of which must be determined by the user before administration. Since the eluate does not contain an antimicrobial agent, it should not be used after twelve hours from the time of generator elution. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Technetium Tc99m decays by an isomeric transition with a physical half-life of 6.02 hours. The principal photon that is useful for detection and imaging studies is listed in Table 1. Table 1. Principal Radiation Emission Data1 Radiation Mean %/Disintegration Mean Energy (keV) Gamma-2 89.07 140.5 1Kocher, David C., “Radioactive Decay Data Tables,” DOE/TIC-11026, p.
    [Show full text]
  • IRENAT 300 Mg/Ml, Solution Buvable En Gouttes
    1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT Irenat Drops 300 mg sodium perchlorate, oral drops Sodium perchlorate monohydrate 2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION 1 ml solution (approximately 15 drops) contains 344.2 mg sodium perchlorate monohydrate (equivalent to 300 mg sodium perchlorate) For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1. 3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM Oral drops 4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS 4.1 Therapeutic indications For the treatment of hyperthyroidism, for thyroid blockade in the context of radionuclide studies of other organs using radioactively labelled iodine or of immunoscintigraphy to detect tumours using antibodies labelled with radioiodine. For the detection of a congenital iodine organification defect (perchlorate discharge test). 4.2 Posology and method of administration Posology Adults receive 4-5 x 10 Irenat drops daily (equivalent to 800-1000 mg sodium perchlorate) or, exceptionally, 5 x 15 Irenat drops daily (equivalent to 1500 mg sodium perchlorate) as an initial dose for the first 1-2 weeks. The mean maintenance dose is 4 x 5 Irenat drops (equivalent to 400 mg sodium perchlorate) per day. Children between the ages of 6 and 14 are treated throughout with a dose of 3-6 x 1 or 4-6 x 2 Irenat drops (equivalent to 60-240 mg sodium perchlorate) daily. When used for the perchlorate discharge test following administration of the dose of radioiodine tracer, a single dose is given of 30-50 Irenat drops (equivalent to 600-1000 mg sodium perchlorate) or 300 mg-600 mg/m 2 body surface area in children. As pretreatment for radionuclide studies not involving the thyroid itself and using radioactively labelled drugs or antibodies containing iodine or technetium, Irenat drops should be administered at doses of 10 – 20 drops (equivalent to 200-400 mg sodium perchlorate) and, in isolated cases, up to 50 drops (equivalent to 1000 mg sodium perchlorate) so as to reduce exposure of the thyroid to radiation and to block uptake of radionuclide into certain compartments.
    [Show full text]
  • Perchlorates
    Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Environmental Public Health (503) 731-4030 Emergency 800 NE Oregon Street #604 (971) 673-0405 Portland, OR 97232-2162 (971) 673-0457 FAX (971) 673-0372 TTY-Nonvoice TECHNICAL BULLETIN HEALTH EFFECTS INFORMATION Prepared by: ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY SECTION March, 2004 PERCHLORATES For More Information Contact: Environmental Toxicology Section (971) 673-0440 Drinking Water Section (971) 673-0405 Technical Bulletin-Health Effects Information Perchlorates Page 2 SYNONYMS Perchlorate Ion, Perchlorate Salts, Perchloric Acid. Examples of perchlorate salts are Sodium Perchlorate, Ammonium Perchlorate, Potassium Perchlorate.Do not confuse with chlorates. USES Perchlorate ion and perchlorate salts are used extensively in industry in the production of military explosives, rocket and missile fuels, fireworks, flares, matches, dyes, lubricants, paints, rubber products and pharmaceuticals. Perchlorates are also used in leather tanning and in electroplating.Perchlorate ion, perchloric acid and perchlorate salts are strong oxidizers, but perchlorate ion has a very high activation temperature, so it can persist in products and in the environment for decades. Perchlorates are natural ingredients in some natural soils and mineral formations.Perchlorate salts are present in some naturally mined nitrate and phosphate fertilizers, particularly rock fertilizers from Chile. Historically perchlorate compounds have had some use as medications in treating persons with overly-active thyroid glands, but this use has
    [Show full text]
  • Liothyronine Sodium(BANM, Rinnm) Potassium Perchlorate
    2174 Thyroid and Antithyroid Drugs with methodological limitations. However, a controlled trial of In myxoedema coma liothyronine sodium may be liothyronine with paroxetine could not confirm any advantage of given intravenously in a dose of 5 to 20 micrograms by 3 O additive therapy. slow intravenous injection, repeated as necessary, usu- 1. Aronson R, et al. Triiodothyronine augmentation in the treat- HO I ally at intervals of 12 hours; the minimum interval be- ment of refractory depression: a meta-analysis. Arch Gen Psychi- OH atry 1996; 53: 842–8. tween doses is 4 hours. An alternative regimen advo- 2. Altshuler LL, et al. Does thyroid supplementation accelerate tri- NH2 cates an initial dose of 50 micrograms intravenously cyclic antidepressant response? A review and meta-analysis of I O the literature. Am J Psychiatry 2001; 158: 1617–22. followed by further injections of 25 micrograms every 3. Appelhof BC, et al. Triiodothyronine addition to paroxetine in I 8 hours until improvement occurs; the dosage may the treatment of major depressive disorder. J Clin Endocrinol then be reduced to 25 micrograms intravenously twice Metab 2004; 89: 6271–6. (liothyronine) daily. Obesity. Thyroid drugs have been tried in the treatment of obes- Liothyronine has also been given in the diagnosis of ity (p.2149) in euthyroid patients, but they produce only tempo- NOTE. The abbreviation T3 is often used for endogenous tri-io- hyperthyroidism in adults. Failure to suppress the up- rary weight loss, mainly of lean body-mass, and can produce se- dothyronine in medical and biochemical reports. Liotrix is USAN rious adverse effects, especially cardiac complications.1 for a mixture of liothyronine sodium with levothyroxine sodium.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Statistics on Medicines 1997 Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services
    Australian Statistics on Medicines 1997 Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services Australian Statistics on Medicines 1997 i © Commonwealth of Australia 1998 ISBN 0 642 36772 8 This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be repoduced by any process without written permission from AusInfo. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be directed to the Manager, Legislative Services, AusInfo, GPO Box 1920, Canberra, ACT 2601. Publication approval number 2446 ii FOREWORD The Australian Statistics on Medicines (ASM) is an annual publication produced by the Drug Utilisation Sub-Committee (DUSC) of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. Comprehensive drug utilisation data are required for a number of purposes including pharmacosurveillance and the targeting and evaluation of quality use of medicines initiatives. It is also needed by regulatory and financing authorities and by the Pharmaceutical Industry. A major aim of the ASM has been to put comprehensive and valid statistics on the Australian use of medicines in the public domain to allow access by all interested parties. Publication of the Australian data facilitates international comparisons of drug utilisation profiles, and encourages international collaboration on drug utilisation research particularly in relation to enhancing the quality use of medicines and health outcomes. The data available in the ASM represent estimates of the aggregate community use (non public hospital) of prescription medicines in Australia. In 1997 the estimated number of prescriptions dispensed through community pharmacies was 179 million prescriptions, a level of increase over 1996 of only 0.4% which was less than the increase in population (1.2%).
    [Show full text]
  • Summary and Recommendations for Thyroid Screening in Pregnancy: Is
    Gregory A. Brent, MD Departments of Medicine and Physiology David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Etiologies of Hypothyroidism • Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis-Hashimoto’s disease • Partial thyroidectomy. • Radioactive iodine therapy for treatment of hyperthyroidism. • External radiotherapy of the head and neck in patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, brain tumors, or bone-marrow transplantation. • Infiltrative disorders of the thyroid gland (eg, amyloidosis, sarcoidosis,hemochromatosis, or Riedel’s thyroiditis). Modified from Cooper and Biondi Lancet 379:1142, 2012 Pearce and Braverman Best Pract Clin Endo Metab 23:801, 2009 Agent Example of Sources Mode of Action Thyroid Disease in Humans Polychlorinated Found in coolants and TR Possible increase in biphenyls (PCBs) lubricants, properties; agonist/antagonist, TSH, thyroid multiple congeners, can alter levels of T4 autoantibodies, thyroid lipophilic and TSH volume Organochlorine Used as pesticide on Induce hepatic No established pesticides crops glucuronyltransferase association (UDPGTs) Polybrominated Found in flame Bind to TRs, Increase in diphenylethers retardants displaces T4 from hypothyroidism in some (PBDEs) binding proteins studies Bisphenol-A (BPA) Used in plastic bottles Antagonize TR, lower No established serum T4 association Adapted from Brent GA Thyroid 20:755, 2010 Agent Example of Mode of Action Thyroid Disease Sources In Humans Perchlorate, Rocket fuel, Inhibits iodine No established Thiocyanate fertilizer, uptake, at sufficient association smoking levels reduces
    [Show full text]
  • 31295018735356.Pdf (3.168Mb)
    AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE-INDUCED LESIONS IN ZEBRAFISH KIDNEYS by TIM CAPPS, B.S. A THESIS IN ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Texas Tech University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Approved Chairperson of the Committee Accepted Dean of the Graduate School December, 2003 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 1 would like to especially thank Dr. Reynaldo Patino for being the chairperson of my committee who made this project possible, and for giving me a positive and enjoyable educational experience. 1 would also like to thank the other members of my committee: Dr. Todd Anderson and Professor Victoria Sutton 1 would like to thank Dr. Vickie Blazer for her histological expertise. I would like to thank The Institute of Environmental and Human Health at Texas Tech for giving me monetary support, and being a good organization with great people. I would like to thank the U.S. Geological Survey through the Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Texas Tech, and all of the people there, for the use of facilities and for providing a great work environment. I would also like to thank the U.S. Department of Defense through the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, under a cooperative agreement with the US. Air Force Institute for Environmental Safety and Occupational Health, for providing further flinding for this project. Finally, I would like to thank all of my friends, family, and coworkers for their support and understanding. Without all of you this would not have been possible. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ii ABSTRACT v LIST OF FIGURES vii CHAPTER I.
    [Show full text]
  • Toxicological Profile for Perchlorates
    TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE FOR PERCHLORATES U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry September 2008 PERCHLORATES ii DISCLAIMER The use of company or product name(s) is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. PERCHLORATES iii UPDATE STATEMENT A Toxicological Profile for Perchlorates, Draft for Public Comment was released in July 2005. This edition supersedes any previously released draft or final profile. Toxicological profiles are revised and republished as necessary. ATSDR considers updating Toxicological profile as new research data becomes available that may significantly impact the Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs) or other conclusions. For information regarding the update status of previously released profiles, contact ATSDR at: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine/Applied Toxicology Branch 1600 Clifton Road NE Mailstop F-32 Atlanta, Georgia 30333 PERCHLORATES iv This page is intentionally blank. PERCHLORATES v FOREWORD This toxicological profile is prepared in accordance with guidelines developed by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The original guidelines were published in the Federal Register on April 17, 1987. Each profile will be revised and republished as necessary. The ATSDR toxicological profile succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for the hazardous substance described therein. Each peer-reviewed profile identifies and reviews the key literature that describes a hazardous substance’s toxicologic properties. Other pertinent literature is also presented, but is described in less detail than the key studies.
    [Show full text]
  • Toxicological Profile for Perchlorates
    PERCHLORATES 15 2. RELEVANCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH 2.1 BACKGROUND AND ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES TO PERCHLORATES IN THE UNITED STATES Perchlorates are high melting point inorganic salts that are soluble in water. There are five perchlorate salts that are manufactured in substantial amounts: magnesium, potassium, ammonium, sodium, and lithium perchlorate. Perchlorates are powerful oxidizing agents and at elevated temperatures, they can react explosively. The production volume of ammonium perchlorate far outpaces the other salts and it is used primarily as the oxidant for solid rocket boosters as well as some other industrial applications. The solid propellant on U.S. Space Shuttle booster rockets is approximately 70% ammonium perchlorate. The rockets that use perchlorates in defense and aerospace activities are engineered to utilize all of the perchlorate during a successful launch. Perchlorates are also used extensively in electroplating, fireworks, munitions, and other pyrotechnic devices. Perchlorates are also present in fertilizers that were made with Chilean saltpeter. Perchlorates are released to the environment from a combination of anthropogenic and natural sources. Perchlorate releases from accidents at manufacturing facilities and unsuccessful rocket launches, as well as activities related to the manufacture, disposal, or research of propellants, explosives, or pyrotechnics, are well documented. Perchlorate releases from fireworks, road safety flares, the use of certain fertilizers, and natural sources of perchlorate in the environment have also been documented. Perchlorate may be released to the environment when certain consumer products that contain perchlorate are used or disposed of. These potential releases are discussed in greater detail in Chapter 6. In water, perchlorates will rapidly dissolve and completely dissociate into the perchlorate anion and the corresponding cation.
    [Show full text]
  • Principles Of, and Pitfalls In, Thyroid Function Tests
    JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE 6:853-901, 1965 Principles of, and Pitfalls in, Thyroid Function Tests James C. Sisson, M.D.' Ann Arbor, Michigan INTRODUCTION Thyroid function tests are now readily available to, and widely used by, practitioners of the medical arts. However, proper interpretation of the results of such tests requires an understanding of the physiological processes being evaluated, and how this evaluation is accomplished. It is the purpose of this communication to describe the principles of, and some pitfalls in, the uses of certain well established clinical tests with an em phasis on the vagaries encountered. Not all thyroid function procedures will be reviewed, but only those which are in common usage, and which, by apparent inconsistencies, may puzzle the practitioner. Thyroid diseases will not be discussed in any detail. The various clinical entities of thyroid dysfunction will be discussed only as they affect the function tests, and hyper- and hypothyroidism will be included only as points of reference for the laboratory procedures. Hyperthyroidism may be defined as the state of response of the body tissues to too much thyroid hormone, and, conversely, hypothyroidism occurs when the body tissues function in the presence of too little thyroid hormone. No laboratory procedure now available specifically indicates the existence of hyper- or hypo thyroidism. Of the clinical tests in current usage, the basal metabolic rate (BMR) best reflects the action of thyroid hormones on the body cells. However, many factors other than thyroid hormones are involved in the rate of body metabolism, and the BMR is perforce a nonspecific and frequently an imprecise diagnostic aid in thyroid dysfunction.
    [Show full text]